Description
These Cordon Bleu Bites are delightful, bite-sized appetizers made with ground chicken, smoked ham, and Swiss cheese cubes, perfectly seasoned and cooked to golden brown perfection in an air fryer. Ideal for parties or casual gatherings, they offer a crispy exterior with a cheesy, flavorful center.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ½ cup smoked ham, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup Panko bread crumbs
- 8 ounces Swiss cheese, cut into ½-inch cubes
- Cooking spray
Optional Coating
- Extra Panko bread crumbs (for coating)
Instructions
- Prepare the Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, chopped ham, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, pepper, Dijon mustard, and eggs. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Add the Bread Crumbs: Gradually add the Panko bread crumbs to the mixture, stirring until it holds together firmly but remains moist enough to shape around the cheese cubes.
- Form the Bites: Take small portions of the chicken mixture and mold each around a ½-inch Swiss cheese cube, shaping into approximately 2-inch balls, ensuring the cheese is fully encased.
- Optional Coating: For extra crispiness, gently roll each formed bite in additional Panko bread crumbs, ensuring an even coating on the exterior.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to preheat for several minutes to ensure an even cooking temperature.
- Cook the Bites: Arrange the bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they do not touch to allow proper air circulation. Lightly spray the bites with cooking spray to enhance browning.
- Air Fry to Perfection: Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning the bites halfway through the cooking time and spraying again with cooking spray. Cook until the exterior is golden brown and the chicken is fully cooked through.
- Serve & Enjoy: Serve the cordon bleu bites hot, accompanied by Dijon cream sauce, honey mustard, or your favorite dipping sauce for added flavor.
Notes
- Cheese Tip: Use frozen Swiss cheese cubes to simplify shaping and prevent the cheese from melting excessively during cooking.
- Oven Alternative: If you don’t have an air fryer, bake the bites at 400°F (200°C) for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through for even browning.
- Storage & Reheating: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes to restore crispiness and warmth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 4 bites)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
